Ba Be Lake (literately means three lakes) is the largest natural lake in Vietnam. It's a highlight point that tourists can't miss on Vietnam tours. Ba Be Lake is located in the middle of limestone, in Nam Mau commune, Bac Kan district, BacKan province, in the northeastern region in Vietnam tours' traveling map. With the good road condition, it only takes about a 5.5 hour drive from Hanoi to get there. Due to its special geological constitution, the lake has very original unique features compared with other worldwide caster lakes. Caster lakes are empty or only with one season of water, while Ba Be Lake has full water year round. Ba Be Lake is considered the "Green Gem" in Vietnam. That's why so many Vietnam tours make Ba Be Lake as "must-go" point for northern adventures in sightseeing, trekking, but most of all, kayaking.
Starting from Hanoi, we got to the Bac Kan district in northeastern Vietnam in late afternoon. Hence, we decided to stay one night at Pac Ngoi village - a traditional village of Tay people, and started our kayak trip early the next morning. Pac Ngoi village has around 40 traditional houses located right beside fields and the river edge. Staying in the house, we can listen to the rhythm of the Nang river right beside the house and smell all the fresh air. The starting point in the kayak trip is Buoc Lom wharf which is far from Ba Be Lake, around a 10km paddle. Continuing to paddle along the spring, we were surprised by the beauty of the limestone surrounding. Kayaking for around 40 minutes, we passed through the Puong Cave. The Nang River through limestone, Lung Nham created Puong caves with stalactites 300 meters long and 30 meters high, with thousands of different shapes that look so magical and shimmering. We kept paddling for around one and a half hours, then we took a short break at Pirate restaurant. The name of the restaurant was named after the owner's nickname. The owner of Pirate restaurant played the role of a pirate in a French movie, where his nickname came from. After finishing our lunch and taking a rest, we walked down to the falls. Dau Dang Fall, the 100m, three-level waterfall makes the scenery even more magnificent. After coming back to our canoes, it took us about 40 minutes to get to Ba Be Lake.
Ba Be Lake was formed approximately 200 million years ago; the lake is surrounded by limestone cliffs which in turn are covered by primary forest. Ba Be Lake spreads over 8km; the widest point is over 3km and 150m above sea level. It is a challenge even for experienced kayakers. The Ba Be Lake combines three natural elements: water, trees and mountains. Even if you've experience other Vietnam tours, you will hardly find a place where those three factors blend so well and beautifully. The lake comprises three zones named Pe Lam, Pe Lu and Pe Leng. Only kayaking through these islands, can you feel all of its beauty. The most convenient starting point is Pe Lam Lake. Kayaking around Pe Lam Lake, I could see in the middle of the lake there is an island and in the middle of the island is another small lake the locals call Ao Tien (Fairy Pond). As its name, Ao Tien Lake has a pure beauty that can't be compared with any other lake in tours all throughout Vietnam. Although normally, the lake only has one full-water season, Ao Tien is always full of pure water. The beauty of Ao Tien totally cleared my mind and left me refreshed. Paddling slowly to enjoy all the beauty of Ao Tien, I return from my journey and leave Pe Lam. The next destination is Pe Lu Lake and An Ma Island. The name of the island comes from its shape; it looks like a horse wading across the lake. Standing on An Ma Island and taking a far look back to Pe Lam Island, the sunshine sparkling on the surface of water; I deeply understand why people say Ba Be Lake is the most beautiful natural lake in Vietnam.
The last destination is Po Giai Ma (Widow Mound). The Mound is marked with a touching historical vestige with profound meaning about humanity and love. The story is about a widow, with her humane and upright actions, saved all of the villages from a terrible flood which was believed to have created Ba Be Lake. The name of the island was named after her. That can be considered as a characteristic of Vietnam tours - it's hard to find a tourist destination in Vietnam not marked with a historical vestige.
A complex of lakes, rivers, streams, mountains and caves have kept Ba Be Lake at an average temperature of 22°Cyear round. Here, it's warm in winter, cool in summer, and very suitable for an ideal getaway excursion in all four seasons. Through all of Vietnam's tours, there are not many places with an ideal temperature like this. Ba Be Lake is rated as the top 20 most beautiful lakes in the world by UNESCO, therefore, if you plan to visit Vietnam, Ba Be Lake will be one of many excellent choices you can pick on your next Vietnam tour.
Brad loves traveling Southeast Asia as a writer for Exotic Voyages; a Vietnam based tour operator that provides Luxury and Adventure Travel Tours throughout Southeast Asia including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Learn more about Exotic Voyages and all the exciting trips Brad and others have been on at http://www.exoticvoyages.com/.
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